Of Kings, Psychopaths, and Lawyers

Vivia Chen

January 9, 2013

Cities where your law salary will go far. NALP just released its annual list of top cities for law grads according to buying power. Using New York as the benchmark (the buying power index—BPI—"was calculated using New York City's median reported private practice salary for the class of 2011 and cost of living"), NALP looked at 76 cities that reported at least 15 law firm salaries.

First, the top 10 cities where you can live royally as a starting lawyer:

City

Median Reported Salary

Salary required to Yield New York City Buying Power*

Buying Power Index

Dallas, TX

$135,000

$70,350

1.919

Wilmington, DE

145,000

79,710

1.819

Houston, TX

115,000

65,670

1.751

Charlotte, NC

115,000

68,230

1.686

Los Angeles, CA

160,000

97,110

1.648

Boston, MA

160,000

100,400

1.594

Costa Mesa, CA

160,000

104,350

1.533

Washington, DC

160,000

104,790

1.527

Nashville, TN

100,000

65,960

1.516

Grand Rapids, MI

97,500

65,375

1.484

And the bottom 10 cities where you are likely to feel much poorer:

Ft. Lauderdale, FL

60,000

81,170

0.739

Orlando, FL

52,000

71,520

0.727

Little Rock, AR

50,000

69,980

0.714

Montgomery, AL

47,500

71,150

0.668

Albany, NY

54,000

81,390

0.660

Long Beach, CA

63,700

97,110

0.649

Beverly Hills, CA

60,000

97,110

0.618

Charleston, SC

45,000

72,910

0.617

Fairfax, VA

62,500

104,790

0.592

Honolulu, HI

70,000

122,710

0.571

I don't think most folks would be startled by the top cities on NALP's list, though some of the bottom ones knocked me off my chair. Who would have guessed that you'd have to pay through the nose to live in places like Little Rock, Montgomery, and Albany? I'm sure they have their charms, but they're not exactly dream cities. All things considered, wouldn't you rather be a starving lawyer in New York, Paris, or Rome?

Are you a lawyer because you're a psychopath? Or a psychopath because you're a lawyer? It's a complicated question, isn't it? I bring this up only because Business Insider lists the top 10 profession that draw a disproportionate number of psychopaths. And guess what? Lawyer is on the list! (For all you definition fiends out there, Business Insider reminds us that "psychopathy" is a personality disorder that's "characterized
by shallow emotions (in particular reduced fear), stress
tolerance, lacking empathy, coldheartedness, lacking
guilt, egocentricity, superficial charm, manipulativeness,
irresponsibility, impulsivity, and antisocial behaviors such as parasitic
lifestyle and criminality.")

I know you can't wait, so here's the complete list:

1. CEO

2. Lawyer

3. Media (TV/Radio)

4. Salesperson

5. Surgeon

6. Journalist

7. Police Officer

8. Clergyperson

9. Chef

10. Civil Servant

And what are the "nice" professions, where few psychopaths reside? Well, they include caregiver, nurse, therapist, craftsperson, beautician/stylist, charity worker, teacher, artist, doctor, and accountant.

Of course, I fall into two of the psychopath professions: journalist and lawyer. Should I be worried?

Do you have topics you'd like to discuss or tips to share? Email chief blogger Vivia Chen at vchen@alm.com.

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About The Careerist

The Careerist takes an inside look at how lawyers shape their careers and manage their lives. The blog aims to dissect developments in the profession, provide useful information and advice, and give lawyers a platform to voice their views. The goal is to provide a fresh, provocative take on the state of lawyering.

About Vivia Chen

Vivia Chen, The Careerist's chief blogger, has been covering the business and culture of law firms for a decade. A former corporate lawyer, Chen is fascinated by those who thrive (as well as those who don't) in the legal profession. Her take: Success in the law (and life) doesn't always travel a linear path. If you have topics you'd like to discuss or information to share, contact her: VChen@alm.com